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Twins’ even-keeled approach paying off vs. Athletics
The Minnesota Twins, guided by their cool-headed manager Rocco Baldelli, have been on a roll lately. They’ve won the first two games of their four-game series against the Oakland Athletics, including an exciting 6-5 victory in 10 innings on Friday. The Twins are looking to extend their winning streak, while the Athletics are hoping to snap their seven-game losing streak.
Twins’ Resilient Approach
Manager’s Philosophy
Rocco Baldelli’s leadership style is all about staying calm and collected, no matter what’s happening on the field. This approach has been crucial for the Twins, helping them stay focused and resilient in both good times and bad. Baldelli credits the team’s veteran leaders for instilling this mindset throughout the clubhouse.
Recent Success
The Twins’ ability to stay composed was on full display during their 6-5 extra-innings win on Friday. They battled back from a 4-0 deficit, showing their grit and determination. Baldelli praised the team’s perseverance and commitment to playing hard every inning, which has been a big part of their recent success.
Key Contributions
Max Kepler’s Performance
Max Kepler has been a standout player for the Twins. On Friday, he hit a game-tying three-run homer in the sixth inning and delivered the walk-off hit in the 10th. Kepler finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBIs, proving his ability to come through in clutch moments.
Kepler’s Perspective
“We stayed present,” Kepler said. “We stayed pitch to pitch. That’s all we can do. Just help each other out, keep the line moving, and play hard baseball.” Kepler’s mindset mirrors the team’s overall approach of staying focused and supporting each other.
Athletics’ Struggles
Losing Streak
The Athletics are currently in a tough spot, enduring a seven-game losing streak. They’ve been struggling with execution and fundamentals, which has cost them several games. Manager Mark Kotsay emphasized the need for better playmaking to turn their fortunes around, noting that the team has given away games due to errors and missed opportunities.
Manager’s Insight
“Tough loss,” Kotsay said about Friday’s game. “This stretch, we’ve given some games away, really. These guys, they’re giving everything they have. But execution in terms of making plays, you know, we’ve got to make plays. We’re costing ourselves wins.”
Pitching Matchup
Bailey Ober for the Twins
Bailey Ober (5-4, 5.13 ERA) will start for the Twins. He’s looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he allowed four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Ober has had success against the Athletics before, pitching five scoreless innings in his only career start against them.
Joey Estes for the Athletics
Joey Estes (2-2, 4.78 ERA) will be on the mound for the Athletics. Estes struggled in his last start against the San Diego Padres, allowing three runs on eight hits over five innings. He has made one career start against the Twins, where he gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings during a no-decision.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Twins’ even-keeled approach under manager Rocco Baldelli has been key to their recent success. As they face the Oakland Athletics in the third game of their series, the Twins aim to continue their winning streak, bolstered by key performances from players like Max Kepler. Meanwhile, the Athletics need to improve their execution and fundamentals to snap their losing streak. The pitching matchup between Bailey Ober and Joey Estes will be crucial in determining the outcome of this game.
